editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Scott Horsley is a White House correspondent for NPR News. He reports on the policy and politics of the Trump Administration. Horsley took up the White House beat in 2009 after serving as a San Diego-based business correspondent for NPR where he covered fast food, gasoline prices, and the California electricity crunch of 2000. He reported from the Pentagon during the early phases of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before joining NPR in 2001, Horsley was a reporter for member station KPBS-FM, where he received numerous honors, including a Public Radio News Directors' award for coverage of the California energy crisis. Earlier in his career, Horsley worked as a reporter for WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and as a news writer and reporter for commercial radio stations in Boston and Concord, New Hampshire. Horsley began his professional career as a production assistant for NPR's Morning Edition . Horsley earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and an MBA from San Diego StateNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Scott HorsleyMon, 11 Dec 2017 00:28:15 +0000Scott Horsleyhttp://wkms.org
Scott HorsleyUpdated December 9 at 11:50 am ET "November was a great month for American workers as President Trump's bold economic vision continues to pay off. With tax reform moving quickly through Congress, confidence in the strength of our economy remains high and families around the country are reaping the benefits. We're especially pleased to see the manufacturing sector roaring back to life, adding a total of 159,000 jobs since President Trump took office after averaging a loss of more than 1,000 jobs per month during the last year of the previous administration. As we continue to unleash the American economy from unnecessary regulation and taxes, we look forward to seeing more reports like this, showing a healthy and thriving jobs market for the American people." — White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders The Labor Department reports that U.S. employers added 228,000 jobs in November, somewhat better than analysts had been expecting. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1FACT CHECK: President Trump's Record On Jobs And Stocks http://wkms.org/post/fact-check-president-trumps-record-jobs-and-stocks
87435 as http://wkms.orgFri, 08 Dec 2017 20:20:45 +0000FACT CHECK: President Trump's Record On Jobs And Stocks Scott HorsleyHouse and Senate Republicans have now passed two different versions of a sweeping tax overhaul. Their next step is to iron out differences between the two bills, so the final product can be sent to the president to be signed into law. Both the House and Senate bills call for deep cuts in the corporate tax rate — from 35 to 20 percent. In the House version , that cut would take effect next year. In the Senate version , the lower rate would begin a year later. The two bills differ in a number of other ways, including their treatment of individual taxes and so-called "pass-through" businesses that are taxed at the individual rate of their owners. Here are some areas to watch as lawmakers work to harmonize the two versions and produce a single bill: 1. Individual taxes House: Sets up four tax brackets, with tax rates ranging from 12 to 39.6 percent. Senate: Seven brackets, ranging from 10 to 38.5 percent. Both versions offer a larger standard deduction while eliminating personal exemptions9 Sticking Points The House And Senate Have To Work Out In Their Tax Billshttp://wkms.org/post/9-sticking-points-house-and-senate-have-work-out-their-tax-bills
87253 as http://wkms.orgTue, 05 Dec 2017 00:57:06 +00009 Sticking Points The House And Senate Have To Work Out In Their Tax BillsScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Congressional Republicans are a step closer to passing a $1.5 trillion tax cut. The Senate passed its version overnight with all but one of 52 Republican senators voting yes. Republican leaders now hope to harmonize that Senate bill with the House version then bring it to the president for signature. NPR's Scott Horsley joins us now. Good morning, Scott. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Good morning. SIMON: I have to ask first - this is an almost 500-page bill that wasn't ready until a couple of hours before they voted. Did senators read it? HORSLEY: (Laughter) I can tell you our Hill colleague Kelsey Snell was making a heroic effort to read it. She's got a great summary at npr.org, which is time-stamped several hours after the vote - 1:49 a.m. I don't know if the lawmakers got through it. We're all going to be digging into the weeds. SIMON: There were some senators who complained. There were a lot of senators who complained they couldn'tRepublican Senators Pass Tax Billhttp://wkms.org/post/republican-senators-pass-tax-bill
87155 as http://wkms.orgSat, 02 Dec 2017 12:44:00 +0000Republican Senators Pass Tax BillScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: A tweet from President Trump this morning said the Republican tax bill is, in his words, getting better and better. Well, now the Senate appears poised to pass the measure by a narrow margin. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters today he has the votes he needs after some last-minute deal-making - that despite a report from congressional scorekeepers who say the tax bill will not come close to paying for itself. NPR's Scott Horsley joins us now from the White House. Hello, Scott. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Hi, Robert. SIEGEL: Passage in the Senate would represent a long-sought victory for the president. How did he and Mitch McConnell get this done? HORSLEY: Well, it wasn't easy. Remember; Mitch McConnell likened this to trying to solve a Rubik's Cube where if you try to fix one side, you run the risk of causing trouble somewhere else. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Steve Daines of Montana - two senators - had beenWhite House Appears To Be One Step Closer To First Legislative Victoryhttp://wkms.org/post/white-house-appears-be-one-step-closer-first-legislative-victory
87134 as http://wkms.orgFri, 01 Dec 2017 21:45:00 +0000White House Appears To Be One Step Closer To First Legislative VictoryScott HorsleyPresident Trump traveled to St. Charles, Mo., on Wednesday to promote the GOP tax plan now facing a possible vote in the Senate by the end of the week. He also spoke more generally about his record during his first year in office. "I will tell you this in a non-braggadocious way," Trump said. "There has never been a 10-month president that has accomplished what we have accomplished." Here's a closer look at some of the president's claims. CLAIM: The GOP tax plan is primarily aimed at workers on the lower rungs of the income ladder. "Our focus is on helping the folks who work in the mailrooms and the machine shops of America," Trump said. "The plumbers, the carpenters, the cops, the teachers, the truck drivers, the pipe fitters. The people that like me best." Some elements of the GOP plan would benefit such workers, including a larger standard deduction and an expanded child tax credit. But blue-collar workers are hardly the bill's main focus. According to the nonpartisan Tax PolicyFACT CHECK: President Trump's Tax Speech In Missourihttp://wkms.org/post/fact-check-president-trumps-tax-speech-missouri
87035 as http://wkms.orgThu, 30 Nov 2017 06:00:53 +0000FACT CHECK: President Trump's Tax Speech In MissouriScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: As the Senate begins a series of votes on tax legislation, President Trump traveled to Missouri today to promote the Republican plan. Trump told supporters outside St. Louis that slashing corporate taxes would help make American companies more competitive. Trump and other Republicans have promoted their tax plan as a boost for the middle class, but independent forecasters say most of the savings would go to the wealthiest Americans. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Trump came here to Missouri three months ago to kick off his campaign for a tax overhaul. Now, with the Senate deliberating the GOP tax bill, the president was back in the Show-Me State. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: A successful vote in the Senate this week will bring us one giant step closer to delivering an incredible victory for the American people. HORSLEY: Trump won Missouri by nearly 20 points last year, and hisTrump Visits Missouri To Tout GOP Tax Overhaul Billhttp://wkms.org/post/trump-visits-missouri-tout-gop-tax-overhaul-bill
87022 as http://wkms.orgWed, 29 Nov 2017 22:10:00 +0000Trump Visits Missouri To Tout GOP Tax Overhaul BillScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: At an Asian summit meeting in the Philippines today, President Trump met with leaders of India, Japan, Australia. These are three pillars of democracy in what the White House is calling the Indo-Pacific region. Now, Trump also met with controversial Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who is hosting the summit, and NPR's Scott Horsley joins us from Manila. Hey there, Scott. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Good to be with you, David. GREENE: So we should say, Duterte has drawn a lot of scrutiny from around the world, especially from human rights advocates. I mean, a brutal crackdown on drug trafficking in the Philippines where you are. Did President Trump address that at all? HORSLEY: Not publicly. The White House had told us in advance that if Trump was going to raise the human rights issue, he would do so privately. His press secretary says Trump did raise it privately. But in public, the president had only praise for the PhilippinePresident Trump Meets With Duterte On Last Leg Of Asia Tourhttp://wkms.org/post/president-trump-meets-duterte-last-leg-asia-tour
86284 as http://wkms.orgMon, 13 Nov 2017 10:02:00 +0000President Trump Meets With Duterte On Last Leg Of Asia TourScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: So let's go back overseas now to hear more about what else President Trump is doing. As we mentioned earlier, he is in the Philippines attending the first of two Southeast Asian summits. This is the final stop on what was already a lengthy trip, which the White House extended by one day so Trump could join other leaders at an East Asia strategic session in Manila. NPR's Scott Horsley has this report. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: President Trump began his day by presiding over the signing of commercial contracts in Vietnam. He and his Vietnamese counterpart watched as CEOs signed deals for aircraft engines, commercial trucks and a liquid natural gas terminal. Trump sees opportunities for additional sales to Vietnam of U.S. farm products and financial services. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We look to your growing middle class as a key market for American goods and services. HORSLEY: Vietnam is one of theOn Final Stop Of Asia Trip, Trump To Meet With Controversial Philippine President Dutertehttp://wkms.org/post/final-stop-asia-trip-trump-meet-controversial-philippine-president-duterte
86276 as http://wkms.orgSun, 12 Nov 2017 22:52:00 +0000On Final Stop Of Asia Trip, Trump To Meet With Controversial Philippine President DuterteScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST: President Trump arrived in the Philippines this morning for a summit meeting with Southeast Asia leaders. It's the final stop on the president's five-country tour. Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend in Vietnam. Trump's comments about Russia after that meeting have him doing a lot of explaining. NPR's Scott Horsley is traveling with the president and will explain to us what's going on. Good morning. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Good to be with you. GARCIA-NAVARRO: All right, Scott. These conversations the president had with Putin have sparked some controversy here at home, which I'm sure you're aware of. Trump says they once again discussed Russia's interference in last year's presidential election. Walk us through what he had to say. HORSLEY: Well, Trump says Putin once again denied that Russia meddled in that presidential contest. And the controversy stems from comments Trump made lastTrump On The Defensive About Putin Discussionhttp://wkms.org/post/trump-defensive-about-putin-discussion
86266 as http://wkms.orgSun, 12 Nov 2017 12:52:00 +0000Trump On The Defensive About Putin DiscussionScott HorsleyUpdated on Sunday at 12:25 a.m. ET President Trump told the White House press corps Saturday that he had had several brief conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific summit the two men were attending in Vietnam. During those conversations, Putin once again denied any interference in last year's election, Trump said. And, the president said, he believed that Putin believed there was no interference. "He said he didn't meddle," Trump said aboard Air Force One when asked whether he had discussed Russia's interference in the 2016 election with Putin. "He said he didn't meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times." "He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election, he did not do what they are saying he did," Trump added. Later on Sunday in Hanoi, and after receiving criticism for his remarks, Trump was asked for clarification on the topic. Trump responded that he agrees with U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered inTrump: Putin Again Denied Interfering In Election And 'I Really Believe' He Means Ithttp://wkms.org/post/trump-putin-issue-joint-statement-defeating-isis-syria
86244 as http://wkms.orgSat, 11 Nov 2017 15:21:51 +0000Trump: Putin Again Denied Interfering In Election And 'I Really Believe' He Means ItScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit SCOTT SIMON, HOST: President Trump says he's had several short conversations this weekend with Vladimir Putin. Both leaders were in Vietnam for a gathering with other Asia-Pacific leaders. Trump and Putin did not have a formal meeting. They did apparently find time to talk about Syria and later released a joint statement on the subject. NPR's Scott Horsley joins us from Vietnam. Scott, thanks for being with us. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: You're welcome, Scott. Good to be here. SIMON: Were both countries a little coy about a new meeting? HORSLEY: The United States certainly was. There was never a meeting with Vladimir Putin listed on President Trump's official schedule, even though Trump told reporters on his way to Asia he thought that such a meeting was expected. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was also asked about any preparations for such a meeting. He said the U.S. only wanted to have one if there was something substantive for the two leaders toTrump Says Putin Denies Russian Election Interferencehttp://wkms.org/post/trump-says-putin-denies-russian-election-interference
86233 as http://wkms.orgSat, 11 Nov 2017 13:07:00 +0000Trump Says Putin Denies Russian Election InterferenceScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: President Trump delivered a warning to Asia Pacific leaders today. The United States is tired of unbalanced trade. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We are not going to let the United States be taken advantage of anymore. SIEGEL: The president was speaking at an international summit in Vietnam, but his remarks had a strong nationalistic flavor. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: President Trump has spent the last week traveling in Asia. But his speech today in Vietnam was his first attempt to spell out a larger vision for the region. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) TRUMP: Today I am here to offer a renewed partnership with America, to work together to strengthen the bonds of friendship and commerce between all of the nations of the Indo-Pacific and together to promote our prosperity and security. HORSLEY: The president highlighted the remarkable progress countries like Vietnam,President Trump Delivers Warning To Asia-Pacific Leaders Regarding Tradehttp://wkms.org/post/president-trump-delivers-warning-asia-pacific-leaders-regarding-trade
86220 as http://wkms.orgFri, 10 Nov 2017 22:03:00 +0000President Trump Delivers Warning To Asia-Pacific Leaders Regarding TradeScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: President Trump arrived in Vietnam today for a summit with Asia-Pacific leaders. One of Trump's first actions as president was to withdraw from a 12-nation Pacific trade deal, the TPP. The president told a group of business leaders today the U.S. will continue to be an active partner in the region, with this caveat. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: What we will no longer do is enter into large agreements that tie our hands, surrender our sovereignty and make meaningful enforcement practically impossible. MARTIN: NPR's Scott Horsley is traveling with the president. He joins us now from Da Nang, Vietnam. Hi, Scott. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Good to be with you, Rachel. MARTIN: What more was the president trying to convey about trade today? HORSLEY: There were sort of mixed messages in the speech today. It started out kind of sunny and bright. He was celebrating the success that countries like Vietnam haveTrump Is In Vietnam For Asia-Pacific Economic Summithttp://wkms.org/post/trump-vietnam-asia-pacific-economic-summit
86187 as http://wkms.orgFri, 10 Nov 2017 13:17:00 +0000Trump Is In Vietnam For Asia-Pacific Economic SummitScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit KELLY MCEVERS, HOST: A lot has changed in the year since Donald Trump was elected president, but some things remain pretty much the same. As we mark the first anniversary of that election, NPR's Scott Horsley looks at the impact Trump has had on Washington policymaking and at the policies that remain stubbornly resistant to change. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump often promised to bring big change to Washington almost overnight. (SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE) PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We're going to rescind all the job-destroying Obama executive actions. We're going to cancel the Paris climate agreement. When we win on November 8... (CHEERING) TRUMP: ...And elect a Republican Congress, we will be able to immediately repeal and replace Obamacare - have to do it. HORSLEY: OK. We know that last one turned out to be a little more complicated than the president expected. Change in Washington often comes slowly - just askA Year After He Was Elected, What's Changed Under President Trump?http://wkms.org/post/year-after-he-was-elected-whats-changed-under-president-trump
86174 as http://wkms.orgThu, 09 Nov 2017 21:50:00 +0000A Year After He Was Elected, What's Changed Under President Trump?Scott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit STEVE INSKEEP, BYLINE: It is commonplace to refer to the president of the United States - any American president - as the most powerful person in the world. Today President Trump is in Beijing meeting China's president, Xi Jinping, who made the cover of The Economist magazine a few weeks ago, and he was described as the most powerful person in the world. President Trump is seeking China's cooperation in a visit that is the centerpiece of a journey through East Asia. Trump wants help with North Korea and on trade. NPR's Scott Horsley is traveling with the president. He joins us now. Hi, Scott. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Good to be with you, Steve. INSKEEP: So what's the welcome been like for President Trump? HORSLEY: It's been elaborate, Steve. The Chinese are calling this a state visit plus. President Trump and the first lady were taken on a tour of the Forbidden City, treated to a performance at the Peking Opera. Tonight, they're having dinner withTrump Lands In China, North Korea To Be A Main Discussion Topichttp://wkms.org/post/trump-lands-china-north-korea-be-main-discussion-topic
86093 as http://wkms.orgWed, 08 Nov 2017 13:11:00 +0000Trump Lands In China, North Korea To Be A Main Discussion TopicScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: President Trump is in the midst of a five-nation tour of Asia. But even there, he can't get away from America's problem with gun violence. Trump took time out today from talks on trade and security in Tokyo to address the weekend shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. NPR's Scott Horsley is traveling with the president, and he joins us now. Hi, Scott. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: Good to be with you, Mary Louise. KELLY: So both President Trump and the Japanese prime minister addressed the Texas shooting today. Can you fill us in on what they had to say? HORSLEY: Well, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered his condolences to the president, which certainly was on Trump's mind throughout the day. Trump was getting regular briefings about the attack. He was tweeting about it early this morning Tokyo time. The president says all of America is praying with the victims and their families, adding that, in tragic times, Americans pullIn Asia, Trump Can't Escape America's Problem With Gun Violencehttp://wkms.org/post/asia-trump-cant-escape-americas-problem-gun-violence
85970 as http://wkms.orgMon, 06 Nov 2017 09:53:00 +0000In Asia, Trump Can't Escape America's Problem With Gun ViolenceScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: It wasn't long ago that President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter if he was aware of campaign contacts with Russia. DAVID GREENE, HOST: And here is how the president responded to that question back in February. (SOUNDBITE OF PRESS CONFERENCE) UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: So you're not aware of any contacts... PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Look, look, look... UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: ...During the course of the election? TRUMP: How many times do I have to answer this question? UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Can you just say yes or no on it? TRUMP: Russia is a ruse. GREENE: According to The New York Times, court documents associated with the Russia investigation now suggest that Trump and his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, may have actually known about connections his campaign had with Russia. And for Sessions, who under oath denied any knowledge of Russian communication or connection, this could be problematic. CNN is reporting that formerNews Brief: Trump's Asia Trip, New York City Marathonhttp://wkms.org/post/news-brief-trumps-asia-trip-new-york-city-marathon
85848 as http://wkms.orgFri, 03 Nov 2017 09:30:00 +0000News Brief: Trump's Asia Trip, New York City MarathonScott HorsleyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Congressional Republicans are out this morning with legislation to enact the most sweeping overhaul of this country's tax system in over 30 years. The GOP says this will spur economic growth by slashing tax rates for most individuals and corporations. The challenge is paying for those cuts so the deficit doesn't blow up. After a long wait, we have details of this bill in our hands this morning. Well, more accurately, it's - the details are in NPR's Scott Horsley hands. And Scott is here. Hey there, Scott. SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: It's like Christmas morning for tax nerds. GREENE: It's like Christmas morning for tax nerds. And neither of us are included in that category, right? So what would this bill actually do now that you're - we're actually getting a clearer picture? HORSLEY: Well, as expected, it would slash the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent and also flatten and reduce individual tax rates. As you say, RepublicanGOP Tax Plan Calls For Deep Cuts In Tax Rateshttp://wkms.org/post/gop-tax-plan-calls-deep-cuts-tax-rates
85808 as http://wkms.orgThu, 02 Nov 2017 16:08:00 +0000GOP Tax Plan Calls For Deep Cuts In Tax RatesScott HorsleyUpdated at 3:10 p.m. ET House Republicans unveiled a draft tax bill on Thursday, calling for deep cuts in both individual and corporate tax rates. "With this bill, we will grow our economy by delivering more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks to Americans of all walks of life," said Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. The rollout, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed to give bill drafters more time. They're still struggling to find sufficient revenue to avoid a budgetbusting score. As a result, some of the tax changes have been made temporary or phased in over time. Here are some of the highlights of the bill ( you can read the full text here ): Seven individual tax brackets would be reduced to four brackets — 12 percent, 25 percent, 35 percent, and the current top rate of 39.6 percent remaining in place for the very wealthy. Corporate taxes would drop from 35 percent to 20 percent permanently. Standard deduction would increaseRepublicans Propose Big Tax Cuts, But Target Popular Deductionshttp://wkms.org/post/republican-tax-plan-would-slash-corporate-taxes-cap-some-popular-breaks
85796 as http://wkms.orgThu, 02 Nov 2017 15:22:52 +0000Republicans Propose Big Tax Cuts, But Target Popular DeductionsScott HorsleyUpdated 4:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 29 For some Republicans, the tax overhaul would taste better with SALT. The House GOP narrowly passed a budget resolution this week, taking an important first step on the path to overhauling the tax code. But 11 GOP lawmakers voted against the measure out of concern the tax bill would eliminate the deduction for state and local taxes, or SALT. That tax break is especially popular — and valuable — in high-tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California. The SALT deduction is one of the few that the Trump administration has singled out for the chopping block. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told NBC's Meet The Press he wants to get "the federal government out of the business of subsidizing the states." According to the Tax Foundation , more than half the total savings from the deduction goes to taxpayers in just six states: California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas and Pennsylvania. Among those, only Texas is reliably Republican — and Trump wonSALT Reduction Becomes Major Sticking Point In Tax Overhaul. So What Is SALT?http://wkms.org/post/salt-reduction-becomes-major-sticking-point-tax-overhaul-so-what-salt
85563 as http://wkms.orgSat, 28 Oct 2017 16:03:01 +0000SALT Reduction Becomes Major Sticking Point In Tax Overhaul. So What Is SALT?